Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-18
FARMERS IN COUNCIL
SECOND DAY OF THE INTERSTATE
CONVENTION.
Address by Senator colquitt on The Gov
eminent and Its Relations to
Agriculture"
pv te,.gr,pb 10 N. pIcpasch.J

(By telegraph to the Dispatch-I
ATLANTA, Ga, August 1.-THE 50.
cond days proceedings OF the Farmers
convention was opened with President
j. s. Norman in the chair and prayer
by Rev. DIR. Morrison. After perfect
ing some Of the committees the presl-
dent proceeded to deliver his adj
dress on the Exact Objects Farmers
Should Seek to Accomplish and the
Best Means of Accomplishing These
Objects" He gave practical illustra-
tons, showing how the land had been
robbed and would now have to be re-
stored to its original fertility by Guilt
walton on some practical plan.
An invitation to visit Piedmont Park
tomorrow and examine the prepare
tons for the Piedmont Exposition was
accepted with thanks.
The president of the convention then
introduced Senator Colquitt, who made
an eloquent address on 1.-The Govern
ment in its Relation to Agriculture"
Senator Colquitt said /: We have had
for a number Of years in the recent his
tory of our country class OF politicians
which, ] greatly regret, seem to be
growing in number and influence.
These men, by singular peryerslon
or confusion of Judgment, have set up
as an idol creature in place of Gre
ator. The Government, they would
have us believe, was source OF power,
a dispenser of benefits, and grand
almoner, sharing out its gifts as well as
its teachings of wisdom. This is the
same old fraud OF monarch and despot
that for thousands OF years, while tap
ping the very hearts blood OF
the people, would have the people
magnify and glorify the generous
deed, with all the assumption that
the imperialist school OF politicians
make for the Government in the very
truth that the Government mt last is the
most through-paced charity subject
that liveR. When We need money we
cast wistful eye on the treasure-box
that you have filled by your hard work
and generous contributions. When
we talk of the power of the Govern
nert it is your right arms that support
it. When you refer to tho dignity aud
rsnk of that same Government in the
scale of nationality all men who think
can but know that this is only q
reflected light from the essential and
concentrated virtue OF the component
parts of our Union. For all this it
| really seems We are losing all faith IN
our own manhood aud are sliding back
into state OF infantile wardship and
dependence. We are losing our faith
in man and natural laws and accepting
rather society that is buttressed upon
official help and power For my part
| am for keeping absolutism shat up to
the soil and cline where it belongs. l
am disposed to endorse Beecher for
once, at any rate, when he says that 50
paternal government is an internal
governihent-put crown on 1t and 1t
is ear.
Formers of the South, remember
that while we fight against poverty and
restricted resources for family there
is an evil greater even than poverty
and there is a glory far exceeding
all pomp and power that can be made
out of wealth. A greater evil is the
loss of that conscience and integrity
that is vital to peoples fame and true
happiness, and o superior glory Is thai
public virtue is kept impregnable and
Respondent in spite of all seductions.
The speaker then showed the rela
tionship existing between the Govern
ment and the farmer, and asked ii the
farmers had had fair play. Why
should man who spins cotton be thu
pet OF the Government, while q mar
who raises it should be the Govern
ment's orphan or outcast? We have
right to demand fair field and an ever
chance at least We ask no more. TAX
pride in the independence OF the farmer
But while the farmer bears his Owl
burdens, we have a right to denOunc'
all attempts to handicap him by
weight lie should not carry. Let tn
Agricultural Department OF the Gene
raj Government begin a system OF suct
thorough and authoritative experimen
stations as shall command the respec
of every intelligent and earncst-mindeC
farmer in the land If we have mel
who can conduct this great work, en-
courage them by treatment most liberal
IL we, in irankness. might own that w
are not in command Of such talent, thei
let us have it at any cost.
In concluding his remarks Senate
| Colquitt said Tribulations may begin
| with the farmer, but they will assured.
reach all the rest in due time. Tn
farmer is not prospecting IN the Soutl
as be deserves to DO, or, perhaps, as h
might do. Some of this hard FORUM
results, in my honest judgment, not
| will say FROM neglect OF the Govern
ment, but from downright imposition
Could you be allowed 10 sell wher
you could get the best prices and bu.
; where you could buy the cheapest you
incomes, let them be great or small
would be enhanced perhaps 335 pc
cent. If the people who live by tn
soil in this region, and who hav
, lower to control the question OF reye
nue. and taxation, do not care to shak
off the pre- sent burdens, then lot us re
sort to The aid which each OF our Stat
governments can give US with benefl
to every business and individual in tn
land. Let us through this instrumen
tallty come TO the rescue OF our a9rl
culture by exposing old errors, discard
ing mistaken processes, discoyerin
hidden truths, adopting and dissemlna
. ting better methods, aud thereby carry
: ing comfort and plenty into ever,
farmhouse in the South, and make on
section what nature meant it forth
paradise of the earth.
: In the afternoon Hon. NJ. n. Burk
of Mississippi, read an essay on I" Al
! Cotton its Relation to the Presen
Condition OF Agriculture. 4"
L. L. Polk, of North Carolina, chair
man OF the Committee on Organiza
ton, reported in favor of permanen
organization OF this body, to include al
the cotton States.
L. p. Ware. of North Carolina, III
troduced the following: